Electronic component furniture construction and methods and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, there is provided a furniture construction and method as well as apparatus therefor, wherein electronic components are supported on a support assembly. A pivotal support mechanism may mount the support assembly to the furniture construction housing to move pivotally between an angularly inclined position and a generally horizontal position disposed substantially within the housing. A slide mechanism may enable the support assembly to move slidably in its generally horizontal position to its substantially unobstructed accessible position disposed substantially outside of the housing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/814,171, filed Jun. 16, 2006, entitled “ELECTRONIC COMPONENT FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION AND METHODS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR” and U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/815,358, filed Apr. 1, 2004, entitled “ELECTRONIC COMPONENT FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION AND METHODS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR,” and incorporates by reference the entire contents thereof as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a furniture construction, method and apparatus for use with electronic components and others. More particularly, the invention relates to such a furniture construction and method as well as apparatus suitable for use as home entertainment centers, computer desks and other applications in connection with a variety of electronic components and other devices.

BACKGROUND ART

This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutes prior art.

There have been a variety of different types and kinds of furniture used for housing electronic equipment, including, but not limited to, television sets, stereo equipment, computers, and many others. For example, home entertainment centers have employed furniture used to house electronic equipment such as television sets, stereo equipment, as well as many other types of components associated therewith. As used herein, “electronic components” include, but is not limited to, television sets, stereo equipment, receivers, tuners, tape decks, recording units, computer processor units, printers, scanners, VCRs, DVD players, DVD recorders, cable and satellite tuners, audio-visual and multimedia equipment, and others.

Several electronic components can be conveniently stored in one or more pieces of furniture. However, in most instances, the line of sight to the components is at a low level and it is necessary to bend or lean over in order to view or access the front position of the controls. Additionally, while the use of such furniture components enables the wiring or cabling of the various electronic components to be concealed from view, such wiring or cabling is typically not easily accessible.

In both the home entertainment center and computer desk examples, it has been somewhat difficult in certain circumstances to troubleshoot or otherwise change settings, or re-cabling components due to the cabling not being easily accessible. Since electronic components are normally installed within the furniture piece itself, it is oftentimes difficult to remove, install, replace or change the electronic component in question, to re-cable the electronic component or otherwise adjust the cabling of the electronic component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of certain embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an entertainment center furniture construction in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic sectional side elevational views of the entertainment center furniture construction of FIG. 1, illustrating a movable electronic component support disposed in its stored angularly inclined position;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic sectional views of the entertainment center furniture construction of FIG. 1, illustrating the movable electronic component support in the process of being moved pivotally to a horizontal position substantially within the housing of the furniture construction;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic sectional elevational views of the entertainment center furniture construction of FIG. 1, illustrating the movable electronic component support being moved horizontally outwardly of furniture construction housing to its substantially unobstructed accessible position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged pictorial view of a portion of a pivotal support mechanism and a slide mechanism for the movable support of FIGS. 2-7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the mechanisms of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the movable support of FIGS. 2-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system, components and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the embodiment of the invention.

According to the present invention, there is provided a furniture construction and method as well as apparatus therefor, wherein electronic components may be supported on a support assembly. A pivotal support mechanism may mount the assembly to the furniture construction housing to move pivotally between an angularly inclined position and a generally horizontal position disposed substantially within the housing. A slide mechanism may enable the support assembly to move slidably in its generally horizontal position to its substantially unobstructed accessible position disposed substantially outside of the housing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a support assembly for use with a support structure for supporting at least one electronic component. The support assembly may include a moveable support for supporting the at least one electronic component, a pivot support mechanism to secure the moveable support to the support structure in a pivotable manner, and a slide mechanism to allow rectilinear horizontal movement of the moveable support. The moveable support may be rotated from a first position that is generally horizontal and disposed at least partially through the support structure and a second position that is at a downwardly inclined angle at least partially within the interior of the support structure allowing the operation of the component.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for housing at least one electronic component, and may include constructing a housing defining an interior that is at least partially enclosed. The method may include providing a support assembly for supporting the at least one electronic component. The method may further include mounting the assembly to the furniture construction housing to move pivotally between an angularly inclined position and a generally horizontal position disposed substantially within the housing, and enabling the support assembly to move slidably in its generally horizontal position to its substantially unobstructed accessible position disposed substantially outside of the housing.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, there is shown a furniture construction 10, which is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and which is in the form of a home entertainment center for storing electronic components (not shown), as well as others. The furniture construction 10 may include a housing 12 having a front side 14, a top 16 and a pair of sides such as a left side 18, defining an interior 21 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The housing 12 may include an opening 23 which is backwardly inclined to facilitate viewing the electronic components or other such items stored within the interior 21 of the housing 12 and a vertical opening 20 which is in communication with and below the inclined opening 23.

The front side 14 of the housing 12 may include a pair of upwardly swinging glass doors 15, 17 for covering the backwardly inclined openings in the housing 12. A pair of downwardly swinging doors 19, 22 may be disposed below and adjacent the pair of glass doors 15, 17 for covering the vertical opening 20. In addition the front side may include a pair of drawers 24, 28 and a pair of storage compartments covered by doors 31, 33 for storing media packages or other media related items or equipment.

The furniture construction 10 may include a support assembly 25 in the form of a wire basket or drawer structured to support an electronic component or other item at least partially within the housing interior 21. The support assembly 25 may include a movable support 26 structured to support an electronic component (not shown) or other in a first stored position and a second access position.

Considering now the support assembly 25 in greater detail, the support assembly may include a pivotal support mechanism generally indicated at 27 to facilitate the pivotal or locking motion of the support assembly 25 from its backwardly least partially within the housing 12 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

Considering now the pivotal support mechanism 27 in greater detail, the mechanism 27 may generally comprise a pair of rocker arm assemblies 32 and 34 mounted on opposite sides of the support assembly 25 to secure it to the inside of the housing 12 in a pivotal manner. The two rocker arm assemblies 32 and 34 may be similar to one another, and the rocker arm assembly 32 will now be described in further detail. The rocker arm assembly 32 may generally comprise a rocker arm 36 having an intermediate depending tang 38, which may be pivotally attached to the sidewall 18 at 41. The rocker arm assembly 32 may include a front stop 43 to facilitate maintaining the support assembly 25 in its generally horizontal disposition. A back stop 45 may be disposed rearwardly of the front stop 43 on the opposite side of the tang 38 and at a lower inclined disposition to limit the movement of the support assembly 25 into its rearwardly inclined position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A slide mechanism generally indicated at 29 may enable the support assembly 25 to move rectilinearly horizontally into its access position disposed substantially outwardly of the housing 12 and extending outwardly through the inclined opening 23 and the vertical opening 20, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Considering now the slide mechanism 29 in greater detail, the mechanism 29 may include a pair of slide assemblies 47 and 49 which are connected between the respective rocker arm assemblies 32 and 34, and the sidewall 18 and an inner partition or wall 55.

The slide assemblies 47 and 49 may be similar to one another, and only the slide assembly 47 will now be considered in greater detail in connection with FIG. 6. The slide assembly 47 may include an inner slide 52 attached to the support assembly 25, and fits slidably and telescopically within an outer slide 54, which is attached to the rocker arm 36. In this manner, when the rocker arm 36 is disposed in its generally horizontal position in engagement with the front stop 43, the support assembly 25 may be pulled manually or otherwise to its outer extended access position since the support assembly 25 is slidably mounted relative to the rocker arm 36 of the pivotal support mechanism 27.

Similarly, the slide assembly 49 may include an outer slide 56 attached to its rocker arm 58 of the rocker arm assembly 34. In this regard, the support assembly 25 may be slidably mounted to the rocker arm assemblies 32 and 34.

The furniture construction may vary in size and configuration with the number and size of the support assemblies, doors, and drawers varying. For example, it may remain the same size, but have only one larger support assembly; it may be reduced in size and have only one similarly sized support assembly; or it may be increased in size with a number of support assemblies having similar or varying sizes. Furthermore, the doors covering the inclined openings may be optional, and the configuration of the storage compartments and drawers may vary.

In use, an electronic component (not shown) or other may be supported on or within the support assembly 25. The support assembly 25 may be pivotally mounted to the housing 12 to move between the first stored angularly inclined position, and the second access horizontal position. With the support assembly 25 in the stored angularly inclined position, the inclined opening may be covered by the glass door 15 to protect the electronic component and keep it clean.

To gain access to the electronic component, the glass door 15 may be swung up to provide access to the inclined opening 23 and the door 19 may be swung down to provide access to the vertical opening 20 and allow the support assembly 25 to be rotated. The support assembly 25 may then be manually or otherwise pivoted or locked from its backwardly inclined position to an intermediate horizontal position disposed at least partially within the housing 12. The support assembly 25 may then be slid outwardly along a generally horizontal path of travel through the vertical opening 20 and the inclined opening 23 until the support assembly is disposed in its access position disposed partially outwardly of the housing 12. In this outwardly extending position, the electronic component may more easily have cables connected to it or have its cabling adjusted.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact disclosure herein presented. 

1. A furniture construction for housing at least one electronic component, comprising: a housing defining an interior that is at least partially enclosed; means defining an angled opening in an upper portion of the housing adapted to permit viewing the electronic component in its normal operating position; means defining a vertical opening communicating with the angled opening and disposed below it; a support assembly for supporting the at least one electronic component in a first position that is generally horizontal and disposed at least partially through the angled opening and the vertical opening, and in a second position that is at a downwardly inclined angle opposite the angled opening at least partially within the interior of said housing adapted to permit the operation of the component through the angled opening; a pivot support mechanism to enable the support assembly to be moved directly from its second position into a horizontal position disposed at least partially through the vertical opening; and a slide mechanism for enabling the support assembly to be moved horizontally through the angled opening and the vertical opening into its first position.
 2. The furniture construction according to claim 1, further comprising a glass door covering the angled opening.
 3. The furniture construction according to claim 1, further comprising a downwardly swinging door covering the vertical opening.
 4. The furniture construction according to claim 1, further comprising at least one storage compartment.
 5. The furniture construction according to claim 1, wherein the drawer is a wire basket.
 6. The furniture construction according to claim 1, wherein the pivot support mechanism includes a pair of rocker arm assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the support assembly to secure the support assembly in the interior of the housing in a pivotable manner.
 7. The furniture construction according to claim 6, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a rocker arm having an intermediate depending tang that is pivotably attached to an inner wall of the housing.
 8. The furniture construction according to claim 6, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a front stop to facilitate maintaining the support assembly in its generally horizontal position.
 9. The furniture construction according to claim 6, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a back stop to limit the angle of the support assembly in its downwardly inclined position.
 10. The furniture construction according to claim 6, wherein the slide mechanism includes a pair of slide assemblies connected between the rocker arm assemblies and the support assembly.
 11. The furniture construction according to claim 10, wherein each of the slide assemblies includes an inner slide attached to the support assembly and an outer slide attached to one of the rocker arm assemblies.
 12. A support assembly for use with a support structure for supporting at least one electronic component, comprising: a moveable support for supporting the at least one electronic component; a pivot support mechanism to secure the moveable support to the support structure in a pivotable manner; and a slide mechanism to allow rectilinear horizontal movement of the moveable support, wherein the moveable support may be rotated from a first position that is generally horizontal and disposed at least partially through the support structure and a second position that is at a downwardly inclined angle at least partially within the interior of the support structure allowing the operation of the component.
 13. The support assembly according to claim 12, wherein the moveable support is a drawer.
 14. The support assembly according to claim 12, wherein the moveable support is a wire basket.
 15. The support assembly according to claim 12, wherein the pivot support mechanism includes a pair of rocker arm assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the moveable support to secure the support assembly to the support structure.
 16. The support assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a rocker arm having an intermediate depending tang that is pivotably attached to the support structure.
 17. The support assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a front stop to facilitate maintaining the moveable support in its generally horizontal position.
 18. The support assembly according to claim 15, wherein each of the rocker arm assemblies includes a back stop to limit the angle of the moveable support in its downwardly inclined position.
 19. The support assembly according to claim 15, wherein the slide mechanism includes a pair of slide assemblies connected between the rocker arm assemblies and the moveable support.
 20. The support assembly according to claim 19, wherein each of the slide assemblies includes an inner slide attached to the moveable support and an outer slide attached to one of the rocker arm assemblies.
 21. A method of making a furniture construction for supporting at least one electronic component, comprising: constructing a housing defining an interior, an inclined opening, and a vertical opening; and mounting at least one support assembly within the interior of the housing to move pivotally between an angularly inclined position and a generally horizontal position disposed substantially within the housing, the support assembly being structured to support the at least one electronic component; and enabling the support assembly to move slidably in the generally horizontal position through the inclined opening and the vertical opening to a substantially unobstructed accessible position disposed substantially outside of the housing.
 22. The method of making a furniture construction according to claim 21, further comprising mounting a glass door to cover the inclined opening.
 23. The method of making a furniture construction according to claim 21, further comprising mounting a downwardly swinging door to cover the vertical opening.
 24. The method of making a furniture construction according to claim 21, further comprising constructing at least one storage compartment within the housing. 